Saturday, February 11, 2017

Today is the day I return to reality. For the past two weeks it’s been
a thousand-plus-mile tour through warm weather, sunny skies, and folks
courteously listening to what I had to say … at least by those who didn’t know
me all that well.

Zack Farley, a man of High Spirits from Patagonia, Arizona

So, what in the world possesses me to abandon sunny 80-degree Arizona
weather for blizzard-wracked New York City? In search of that answer I’m open
to all amateur psychological diagnoses.

I suspect that same sort of question is being asked by hordes of northern
clime based baby boomers. Though I hear real estate prices in the sunbelt are
not yet back to pre-crisis levels (as unreal as those were), I sense many are now
being drawn to thoughts of living a warmer life amid the cacti, coastlines, and
chimera of the south and west—if only as part of mobile home sunshine seeking caravans
bivouacking in RV (recreational vehicle) parks.

For those of advancing years drawn to Arizona, perhaps it’s a
subliminal pilgrimage to the land of the Saguaro cactus, the awe-inspiring
symbol of the state of Arizona and largest cactus in North America.

The Saguaro grows only in the Sonoran Desert, can attain a height of
40 feet and live to 200 years old. But its most fascinating trait—at least to
me—is that its celebrated arms do not on average first begin to sprout until
the Saguaro is 70-years-old (some start to grow their first arm at 50, others
not until 100) and the Saguaro is only considered an adult at 125!

I’m sure Annamaria has an observation on that phenomenon.

The biggest threat to the existence of this unique flora is poachers harvesting
them for sale as expensive lawn ornaments.Stan and Michael are well familiar with the even more catastrophic effects
of black marketers on African fauna.

But perhaps the trait most reminiscent to me of one that far too many
journeying out here risk sharing with the impressive Saguaro is this: Saguaros
can shrink or swell in girth by 20-25% over the course of a year.

Yep, the food (and drink) out here’s that good.

Alas, it’s time to wave bye-bye to the Saguaro, saddle up and mosey on
back east.But I shall be bringing my
Valentine (who took all the photos) back with me. Okay, dragging her with me.

Which reminds me to say to all of you out there, but especially
Barbara, Karen, Jennifer, Gavi, Rachel, Jon, Terry and Azi, HAPPY VALENTINE’S
DAY.

Well, my brother, Everett beat me to the prickly comment. But I still see that you have much in common with this denizen of Arizona – tall, somewhat ornamental if you go in for that sort of thing,. The best part of this for me is that sometime in the next 25 or 30 years you might actually reach maturity. I hope I'm around to see it. Love to you and your sweetheart on Valentine's Day.

But, I'll take New York City with its blizzards alternating with 60-degree weather. Why not when I can get meals and groceries delivered at midnight. When the library is two blocks away. A cab is down the block and everything is in walking distance, including capuccino and biscotti.